Chapter_34
Chapter 34
“An affair?” Abel chuckled, clearly amused by the suggestion. “Ha, ha. I like that word.” He smiled, a sense of satisfaction in his expression.
Emmeline, however, was seething with anger. “Adrien Ryker, I’m not your wife. Watch what you say!” she snapped.
Adrien, taken aback by her fiery response, found himself at a loss for words.
Oh right, he thought. She said I could be the father of the triplets, but never her husband.
He remembered the promise he had made—to ensure that their children would never end up as farmers. If he didn’t keep that promise, Emmeline might run off with the kids and disappear into the countryside forever.
But as he stood there, with Abel right in front of him, he couldn’t shake the feeling of betrayal. Why is he here? he wondered, feeling a sense of confusion and jealousy well up inside him.
Fortunately, Emmeline quickly interjected, explaining, “Mr. Ryker is my tenant.”
Her calm words seemed to ease the tension, and Adrien, now understanding the situation, was about to lash out at Abel in anger. However, he hesitated, recalling how his Aunt Rosaline and Granddad had kicked Abel out of the family. But still, Abel’s suspicious behavior—living under the same roof as Emmeline—didn’t sit well with him.
“You’ve nothing to do now,” Emmeline said firmly, taking her electric bicycle back from Adrien. “Thank you for your help today. You can leave now.”
Adrien’s frown deepened. “You’re not even going to invite me in for a cup of coffee?” He felt slighted, clearly upset by the cold dismissal.
“The waiters have gone home,” Emmeline replied nonchalantly. “Goodbye, Adrien.”
Abel, standing straight, added in a teasing tone, “I think we should let him go. He doesn’t seem like he’s going to get any coffee today.”
Adrien scowled but didn’t say another word. He turned and waited for his bodyguard’s car to arrive. A few moments later, he left, still grumbling under his breath.
As the door closed behind him, Abel crossed his arms, a smirk playing on his lips. “Seems like there’s something going on between you two. What’s going on, Emmeline?”
Emmeline shot him a puzzled look. “What do you mean? What’s wrong with me and Adrien?”
Abel’s smirk widened. “I meant that it’s better for the kids to grow up with their biological parents.”
Emmeline immediately understood his insinuation.
Without a word, she scanned the hallway, spotting a broom nearby. She seized it, and before Abel could react, she swung it right at him.
Abel, caught off guard, barely had time to dodge. The broom hit him squarely, leaving him no room to evade. “H-Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” he shouted, his frustration rising as he jumped backward.
Emmeline stood her ground, holding the broom firmly. “If you’re going to taunt me, then you can fight me!” She pointed her finger at him, defiant.
Abel raised an eyebrow, unbothered but clearly amused. “Am I wrong, though? You’re the kids’ mother, and he’s their father. Doesn’t that suggest something?”
Emmeline’s eyes flashed with irritation. “No way! I made it clear to him that he can be the kids’ father but never my husband. He can stop dreaming of anything more!”
Abel chuckled, clearly unconvinced. “But isn’t he perfect? Rich, charming, and desirable. You don’t have any feelings for him?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Emmeline warned, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “If you mention this again, I’ll hit you again!”
Abel raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright! I won’t say another word.”
Reluctantly, Emmeline lowered the broom, realizing that there was no point in continuing to argue. The atmosphere between them had lightened a little, though Abel’s jealousy was still evident.
He had been trying to get a reaction from her, but now that he knew the truth, it seemed less important to push her any further.
Luca, who had been standing by quietly with the bodyguards, couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath. He exchanged knowing glances with the others. The moment Abel had been hit with a broom was a rare sight—one that had them all laughing quietly to themselves.
Abel, aware of the silent amusement, sighed in resignation. “Well, I didn’t get to eat dinner yet… Would you mind if I joined you?” He grinned, clearly trying to shift the focus of the conversation.
Emmeline, still irritated, didn’t answer his question right away. Instead, she asked, “How is Timothy? Shouldn’t you be with him?”
“Timmy is fine,” Abel reassured her. “Thanks to Mr. Campbell’s quick work, he’s safe.”
“That’s good to hear,” Emmeline said, her expression softening. “Mr. Campbell is quite capable.”
Abel pushed her electric bicycle into the hallway as he continued. “Do you mind if I bring Timmy here? I thought it might be good for him to get some fresh air.”
Emmeline paused for a moment, contemplating the request. Despite everything that had happened, she didn’t see any harm in it. “Alright, bring him over. But just don’t make a habit of showing up uninvited,” she added with a hint of a smile.
